Val Vlazny was just a Lisle guy riding his bicycle one day back in 1992 when he unexpectedly heard someone yelling for help.

"I looked around and I thought somebody was hiding in the bushes spoofing me," he says.

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Eyes to the Skies

Lisle's Eyes to the Skies festival runs Friday to Sunday, June 29 to July 1, in Community Park, 1825 Short St. The carnival opened Wednesday and continues through Sunday. General admission to the fest grounds is $10. Tickets are available online at eyestotheskies.org or at the gate (cash only).

Thursday, June 28

5-11 p.m. Carnival

Friday, June 29

6 a.m. Balloon launch (weather permitting)

3-11 p.m. Festival and carnival open

5 p.m. One Night Band on VanKampen Main Stage

5:30 p.m. Cowboy Junkies on Riverview Soundstage

6 p.m. Balloon launch (weather permitting)

6:45 p.m. Breakfast Club on VanKampen Main Stage

7:15 p.m. Made in America on Riverview Soundstage

8:15 p.m. Balloon glow

8:45 p.m. Purple Xperience on VanKampen Main Stage

8:45 p.m. Hi Infidelity on Riverview Soundstage

9:45 p.m. Fireworks

Saturday, June 30

6 a.m. Balloon launch (weather permitting)

Noon-11 p.m. Festival and carnival open

4 p.m. OMT (One More Time) on Riverview Soundstage

5:15 p.m. American English on VanKampen Main Stage

5:30 p.m. Don't Speak on Riverview Soundstage

6 p.m. Balloon launch (weather permitting)

7 p.m. Loudernow on VanKampen Main Stage

7:15 p.m. Run Forest Run on Riverview Soundstage

8:15 p.m. Balloon glow

8:45 p.m. Lucky Boys Confusion on VanKampen Main Stage

9 p.m. Boy Band Review on Riverview Soundstage

9:45 p.m. Fireworks

Sunday, July 1

6 a.m. Balloon launch (weather permitting)

Noon-11 p.m. Festival and carnival open

4 p.m. School of Rock on Riverview Soundstage

4:30 p.m. Back Country Roads on VanKampen Main Stage

5:30 p.m. Hot Rocks on Riverview Soundstage

6 p.m. Balloon launch

6:30 p.m. Drew Baldridge on VanKampen Main Stage

7:15 p.m. Kashmir on Riverview Soundstage

8:15 p.m. Balloon glow

8:30 p.m. Maddie and Tae on VanKampen Main Stage

9:15 p.m. Wedding Banned on Riverview Soundstage

9:45 p.m. Grand finale fireworks

Turns out it was the pilot of a hot-air balloon looking for help in finding a safe place to land.

It was right around that moment that Vlazny's favorite mode of transportation shifted from pedaling to soaring.

And it's why he's the perfect choice to serve as balloon field chairman of Lisle's 36th annual Eyes to the Skies Festival, which officially opens Friday, June 29, (although the carnival got a jump on things on Wednesday) and runs through Sunday, July 1, in Community Park, near Route 53 and Short Street.

Vlazny's passion for hot-air balloons started that day 26 years ago when he met that wayward pilot, and he soon started serving on balloon crews. He became a certified pilot himself in 2012.

His favorite part? The challenge.

"Once you take off with a balloon, you're at the mercy of the wind," Vlazny says. "So wherever the wind goes, that's where you go."

Eyes organizers hope the festival winds will bring thousands to Lisle over the next several days to enjoy a variety of bands, carnival rides, kids activities and a craft fair -- but especially the two dozen or so balloons that have become the event's signature attraction.

As always, Eyes will feature balloon flights by professional pilots -- weather permitting -- along with tethered rides that are open to the public.

Visitors can see balloons in all sorts of shapes and sizes take flight between 6 and 9 a.m. and again between 6 and 9 p.m. when the winds are the safest, marketing Chairwoman Katie Palombit says.

There even will be a balloon called Serena's Song that's specially designed to accommodate passengers with disabilities.

For folks who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, the fest will feature musical performances each night with bands such as the Purple Xperience, Lucky Boys Confusion and Maddie and Tae.

Fireworks displays begin at 9:45 p.m. each day, with the grand finale on Sunday.

Palombit says her favorite part of the celebration is the balloon glow, when all the pilots light their balloons just as it's getting dark around 8:15 p.m.

Palombit has been in a balloon several times herself and says it's an amazing feeling.

"Honestly, it's probably the coolest experience I've ever had," she says. "I feel like as I get older, heights are not my thing. But going in a balloon? I would still do it."

"We're doing this not only for the community, but for those charities," Vlazny says. "It's great for the community, and we do raise money."

General admission tickets for Eyes are $10 and tethered balloon rides cost an additional $20. Kids 8 and younger get in for free, as do veterans and active members of the military. Lisle residents also get in for free until 3 p.m. Sunday, July 1.